Ive been cross shopping E91s & E92s. The fact that the E91 isnt offered with an N54 is pushing me towards the E92. While the functionality and pure sexiness of the E91 pulls me back towards the wagon. If I would get one, itd be a 6MT w/ sport package.

My question is, specifically to 6mt E91 328i owners. Does the car satisfy in the "fun to drive" category? Thanks in advance.

I have the E91 w / 6MT.
It is the most balanced car I have ever driven. Because it is an Xi you are not going to win drag races with it but I have had it 120 and it is as stable as a rock
Good luck trying to find a MT, most of these cars were for rich soccer moms.

I was driving a '10 E90 335 xDrive auto that I was perfectly happy with, when I was at my dealer for a service I wandered across the street and found in the showroom an '11 E91 M-Sport 6MT (RWD) with 9k miles on it. I took a test drive, got out of my 335 lease early and bought it that day. I gave up 70 bhp and 100 lb/ft, but I honestly don't miss it. It handles better than the 335 xDrive did, and selecting my own gears (as Richard Hammond recently put it) is a form of self-expression.

The E91 6MT with M-sport or ZSP in rear drive form is a fantastic sports car, that just happens to have a ridiculously useful boot. I drove it to FL and back from Seattle this past February and brought my Golden Retriever along, had plenty of room in the back for his crate and all of my stuff.

I recently got the BMW performance exhaust fitted, and it has changed the character of the car, it now sounds as fantastic as it looks. Mine had the roof rail delete, I have a set of Thule Aeroblades that go up there if I need a rack.

I have a 328xi e91 6MT with sport package and I love it. It's still lots of fun, plenty quick enough for me and the engine sound is awesome. It may not be as fast as a 335, but it's very versatile and more reliable. It's a trade off in my mind.

I will say that I wasn't all that impressed with E90 xDrive auto loaners that I've had, the auto transmission didn't seem to mate well with the AWD drivetrain and the N52. The N52 autos aren't the ZF boxes that are in the 335, there's a big difference in that transmission. I'd definitely go for a manual if you can find one, I did a search recently and there seem to be a number of them out there if you're willing to travel or have it shipped.

I will say that I wasn't all that impressed with E90 xDrive auto loaners that I've had, the auto transmission didn't seem to mate well with the AWD drivetrain and the N52. The N52 autos aren't the ZF boxes that are in the 335, there's a big difference in that transmission. I'd definitely go for a manual if you can find one, I did a search recently and there seem to be a number of them out there if you're willing to travel or have it shipped.

Ya anything under 335 only the manuals get ZF transmissions, Autos are GM tranny which I would stay away from definitely. Ive had to replace E46 328 GM auto it cost arm and leg.

I have the E91 w / 6MT.
It is the most balanced car I have ever driven. Because it is an Xi you are not going to win drag races with it but I have had it 120 and it is as stable as a rock
Good luck trying to find a MT, most of these cars were for rich soccer moms.

I don't have the 6MT but I can vouch for the 120 stable as rock. I love my car's balance, power and steering.

The only thing I have against it, is its weight. But I love taking to the track, I don't push it to the limit but I sure enjoy taking it through all the corners

I was lucky enough to have driven or ride shotgun in some really fast cars. Now I break down cars into 3 categories -- fast, decently quick, and slow. For me both 328 and 335 are in the "decently quick" category. So I could do without a N54 in my E91.

Does the car satisfy in the "fun to drive" category? Thanks in advance.

Probably not as much fun as a motorcycle or a Caterham 7 -- but where could I put the "stuff" on trips to the Post Office or Grangier?

It's much more fun than E9x versions without the manual. I've driven more AT, non-ZSP service loaners than I can count, (including E91s and X1 wagons) -- and IMO the manual transmission and ZSP are the only things that make the headaches of BMW ownership worthwhile. I may even need to keep mine outside of warranty since BMW has dropped MT wagons/SUVs for the US market.

"Rich soccer moms" probably gravitate towards things like the Porsche Cayenne S. (AT only). Last I heard, BMW had only sold a few hundred MT wagons in the US annually, that's probably why they dropped that combination.

The E91 is fantastic. perfect sized car for the commute and the steering feel is better than my F10. have autocrossed the E91 also and it's a hoot. definitely "fun to drive" and very smooth MT with easy heel-toe. if you can find one with an MT, get it they're a rare breed.

Absolutely fun to drive, and more than fast enough to get your license shredded. They are MUCH more fun without the awd crap. Get snow tires and save...

I am a contrarian on the sport package too. In my not particularly humble opinion, any handling gains from it are the result of the better tires it comes with. The firmer suspension just spoils the ride, and the staggered wheels just add understeer. Standard suspension with sticky, non-RFT tires is the way to go. The sport seats are nice if you fit in them, I don't. Thus I ordered my car without it.

The e91 is a really brilliant Swiss army knife of a car. It can do anything. Attack a mountain road like a sportscar? Check. Cruise the autobahn in serene comfort at 125mph? Check. Take you out to dinner in style? Check. Bring a fully assembled gas grille home from Lowe's? Check!

If you compare it to other wagons it does.
At least with a stick.
The thing is you can get more powerfull engines in Europe in the
Wagon . Marketing put the stronger Engines in the x3 and x5 here.
And also limited the sticks.

Absolutely fun to drive, and more than fast enough to get your license shredded. They are MUCH more fun without the awd crap. Get snow tires and save...

I am a contrarian on the sport package too. In my not particularly humble opinion, any handling gains from it are the result of the better tires it comes with. The firmer suspension just spoils the ride, and the staggered wheels just add understeer. Standard suspension with sticky, non-RFT tires is the way to go. The sport seats are nice if you fit in them, I don't. Thus I ordered my car without it.

The e91 is a really brilliant Swiss army knife of a car. It can do anything. Attack a mountain road like a sportscar? Check. Cruise the autobahn in serene comfort at 125mph? Check. Take you out to dinner in style? Check. Bring a fully assembled gas grille home from Lowe's? Check!

Regarding the suspension, I cannot agree. In my opinion, the ZSP suspension makes the car. While it's only an inch or so lower, the car feels much more confident (you get different shocks, spring, and sway bars). Also, the ZSP seats are worth $1,500 alone...

If I lived in New England, due to the crap roads, I'd consider skipping the ZSP.

Regarding the suspension, I cannot agree. In my opinion, the ZSP suspension makes the car. While it's only an inch or so lower, the car feels much more confident (you get different shocks, spring, and sway bars). Also, the ZSP seats are worth $1,500 alone...

If I lived in New England, due to the crap roads, I'd consider skipping the ZSP.

If I lived in Europe, where the roads are like billiard tables for the most part, and I was 200lbs lighter, I would have ordered ZSP. But I live in Maine, where a suspension that actually allows to the wheels to move up and down is a bonus, and I am a big fat bastard, so I didn't.